The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-26
GOV. FAIRFIELD's LETTERS.
A Genuine Collection of Autographs
of Great Men-The Big Cheese that
Esther LongIey Sent to Augusta.
IBiddeford Times.l

In the summer of 1917, the last summer Of
his life, Gov. Fairfield began a collection Of
autograph letters culled from his own corre-
spondence. Having for years been in active
public life, and Governor of the State az the
time Of the northeastern boundary dispute,
between England and our government, his
correspondents were many, ana among them
were many of the prominent men of the day.
1t was happy thought to preserve what
seemed to him the most valuable Of the let
ters. DR.. Edward Everett Hale. in looking
over the book exclaimed; "Why! this is his
tory. What would not l have given If my
father had done the same. will surely be-
gin one for my children" Mr. Hale forth
with sat.down and wrote the following for
insertion opposite the name Of his uncle Ed
ward Everett:
MRS. HAMILTON:
shall be very proud to have my autograph em-
balmed among the precious names in your fathers
scrap book
"The thing itself was neither strange nor rare,
The wonder was that it got stranded there"
With great regard L. L. HALE.
The Times had the pleasure a few days
ago, Of very enjoyable and instructive hour,
in looking over the book, in which the let
ters are preserved, every one secured to its
page by large red wafer at each corner, all
tuc WOIk VI dON. rdlIuclQS ) Hduu. Among
the names subscribed to the letters are the
following: Albert Gallatin, Andrew jack
son, dated from the "Hermitage'D Martin
Van Buren,, John Quincy Adams, John Ty-
Ter, James X. Polk, Franklin Pierce, James
Buchanan, Amos Kendall, (the father Of
croft, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Daniel Webster,
Edward Everett, Winfield Scott, Sir John
Harvey, Sir John Caldwell Thomas H. BEN
ton, Silas Wright, Thomas w. Dorr. of the
DORIS rebellion" in Rhode island Richard
Rush, Richard M. johnson, Robert T.. Dun
lap, Ezekiel Whitman, Asher Ware, Ether
Shepley, Lemuel Shaw. Prentice Mellen, Ju-
dab w. Dana, John w. Dana, Virgil ID. Par
is, John Appleton, Edward Kavanagh, Ste
phen Longfellow, Ruel Williams. Marcus
Morton, Lewis Cass, George M. Dallas, John
G. Calhoun. These distinguished names,
among many more. signed to letters adj
dressed to Gov. Fairfield, relating mainly to
matters Of public interest at the time, which
have now become historical, will give an idea
OF the interest and value connected with the
book. In addition to the above is the follow
ing autograph letter from General Lafayette,
addressed to Mr.. Fairfield, at that time a
young man of q, as chairman of the COM
mlttee on reception, at the time Lafayette
was entertained in Saco:
Sir,-Although it has not been in nv power. on
my last eastern visit, to go so far the State of
Name, have most deeply felt for the kind inyi-
tation nave received particularly from the citi-
zens OF Saco, and will be happy If in the course Of
next summer may present them with the perso-
nal tribute Of my respectful gratitude. Be pleased
gentlemen, In the meanwhile to accept yourselves
and to offer to your fellow citizens the exposition
of those sentiments and of my highest regard.
Washington, Feb. 8, 1925. LAFAYETTE.
There were also the names of James Madi-
son and James Munroe, as Presidents of the
United States; Samuel Adams, Governor of
Massachusetts, 1886; Caleb Strong, 1903; G..
Cove, 1910; j. Brooks, 1906; attached to COM
missions to Thomas G. Thornton, as Marshal
of Maine, then district of Massachusetts.
The book contains the veritable letter sent
by Esther Longley, the donor of "The Big
Cheese" presented to Governor Fairfield, as
testimonial, she says, "of the appreciation
which, being female, hesitate to express
AS possibly overstepping the bounds of
modesty.of your firm and impartial dis
charge OF the duties incumbent on you as
Governor OF the State" The letter con-
| tinueS:
1t appears to me that in your official conduct
you have manifested great regard and observ-
anee OF those principles of government npOn the
success OF which the welfare and happiness of the
whole people essentially depend. And in my
| view no one act of yours stands more cOnspicl-
GUS tnan that In which you met and repelled the
teaching Her Majesty and all in Her Majesty's
uOmlnlons lesson that trust they Will not soon
forget. have the honor to present from my own
Welghlng 2S7 pounds, which pray you TO accept
as an additional token of my respect and esteem
ioI you, personally and officlally.
| ESTHER LoNGLEY.
| Augusta, March 4, 1910.
| The cheese was cut and sent to political
and personal friends in small wedding cake
DoTTes-J9st about that time in fashion.
| :, The collection has been supplemented since
Governor Fairfeld's death by letters from
distinguished persons now living. Among
tnem are letters from John G. Whittier, 4
n. Hale, L. w. Higginson, Mary A. Liver.
more, Daniel p. Livermore, Nora Perry
lin.
!, Ihe name Of Japanese attracted atten-
uOn. only the translation into English,
written under it, gives the English reader